Carrie Writes: Smith College concert will benefit Stavros Center for Independent Living

The Stavros Center for Independent Living in Amherst is hosting a benefit concert on March 16 at 8 p.m. at Smith College's Sweeney Hall.

It will be an evening of music with cellist Eugene Friesen and pianist Steven Schoenberg, who will play music from the jazz, classical and rock genres. Tickets are $20 for general seating or $50 for special seating, which includes a reception with the musicians following the concert.

Well-known artist Barry Moser has creating a limited-edition concert poster that can be purchased at R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton.

Steven Schoenberg

The concert is being held in memory of Jedd Miller and Mickey Schoenberg. All proceeds from the concert and poster sales will go to Stavros.

Stavros is a member agency of the United Way of Hampshire and Franklin counties, which serves more than 6,000 disabled individuals throughout Western Massachusetts. Stavros was established in 1974 to advocate for individuals with disabilities. Its main goal is to help people live independently in their own communities.

Stavros provides a range of services, from counseling to skills training and many other types of assistance.

It has several programs, such as Home Sweet Home, which has built more than 360 wheelchair ramps to give people access to their homes. It has a peer advocacy program where people can get one-on-one assistance on housing, medical and legal and accessibility issues.

There is also a Transition to Adulthood program to help disabled high school students plan for the future.

Stavros also has an equipment loan program and has a very active program providing services to deaf and hard of hearing people. The equipment loan program provides accessibility equipment at low cost.